“Then don’t offend me by implying the reverse.”
“I’moffendingyou?You just accused me of being a traitor!”
“No, I questioned if you might be.”
“And that’s any better?”
He started to turn away, but I grabbed his shirt and made him face me. “Jann, if Lucifer can turn Gall’s heart, I have to questioneverything.”
His jaw went tight and his chin rose. “I’ve never given youanyreason to question my loyalty.”
I met his gaze firmly. “Yet, you still have yellow eyes.”
“You said—!”
“I love you, Jann, and I believe in you,” I assured him. “You and I both know, to not evenask the question,is a fool’s view of the world. So, answer for me: Do you remain as deeply loyal and single-minded for me and my kingdom as you ever have?”
Jann’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw jutted forward.
Without answering, he turned, leaned into Diadre’s ear muttering,“I have to talk to Hever.”Then marched over to the old Neph, his back bristling as surely as a cat’s.
20. Priorities
SOUNDTRACK:Let the Heavens Splitby Shune
~ JANN ~
An hour later, I tugged Diadre with me through the tunnels, grinding my teeth, wishing I could roar. We’d stood there in front ofallof them, andMeleklooked at me like I was under suspicion? After everything I’d done to prove myself?
“Jann—” Diadre said faintly.
“I’ll get you back as quickly as I can.”
“I know, but—”
“We can sleep late in the morning. I don’t have any meetings,” I muttered, plowing forward and pulling her with me.I did as I was asked. I carried the weight and danced the line, and still—
Diadre suddenly yanked her hand from my grip. I whirled, snarling, only to find her bent at the waist and emptying her stomach among the stones.
God, I was a self-centered prick sometimes.
With a whispered apology, I grabbed at her hair, twisting it to draw it away from her neck, and leaning over her, placing an arm under her shoulders so she could lean on me if she needed. My weariness and anger from moments earlier were gone, replaced by the conflicting lows of worry for her, and the high of being remindedshe was having my babe.
My chest swelled. To hell with Melek, bending his ear to his conniving mate. To hell with Hever’s pointed question designed to deflect attention from himself.
My mate was growing a baby.
Mybaby.
Diadre coughed and heaved, her body convulsing in my arms. I did my best not to squeeze her, but to offer support, and whisper reassurance through the bond.
‘Sorry. I’m so sorry, beautiful. We’ll slow down. I’ll carry you.’I stroked her hair as gently as I was able—a sensation she’d told me she loved.
By the time she was done, we both crouched at the side of the path, but my arms were full of her. I tugged a cloth from my pocket that I used to keep my hair back sometimes, and gave it to her to wipe her face.
She trembled and coughed, but nothing more came up. When she finally stood, I rose with her—leaning down to pick her up and swing her into my chest.
“Jann,” she said weakly. “I canwalk—”
